Play FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE first, then FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH if you want the story in sequence. Remake covers the Midgar portion of the remake project; Rebirth is the second entry and follows Cloud and his companions into the wider world. Rebirth can be played on its own, but starting there means missing the characters’ earlier story context.
What changed between Remake and Rebirth?
Story scope: Midgar gives way to the wider world
These are consecutive entries, not two versions of the same stretch of story. Square Enix describes Remake as covering the events through the party’s departure from Midgar; Rebirth continues after that departure, taking Cloud and his companions across a broader world.
Square Enix calls Rebirth a standalone adventure, so a newcomer can begin with it. “Standalone,” however, does not mean the story begins where Remake does: playing Remake first gives the characters and events their preceding context. If you already know the story or are comfortable jumping in, Square Enix also provides an official Remake recap.
Structure: more freedom and optional activities
Remake is more tightly directed around its story. Rebirth opens up the journey with regional exploration, side quests, optional battles, and minigames, giving players more choice about what to do next while still presenting a dramatic main story. Director Naoki Hamaguchi described the shift in a Square Enix Blog interview published February 29, 2024: “We’ve definitely tried to respond to that and added many more layers of freedom, choice, and exploration into FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH.”
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Combat: an evolution, not a complete replacement
Rebirth retains the blend of fast-paced real-time action and strategic menu-based commands. Its notable addition is Synergy abilities, which let two party members join forces for attacks. The developers describe adapting elements of the original game to fit Rebirth’s gameplay, rather than simply reproducing its mechanics. The result is an evolution of the action-and-command approach, with more party interactions—not an entirely different combat system.
Which game should you play first?
| If you want… | Start with… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The full narrative lead-in | Remake | It establishes the story before the party leaves Midgar, which Rebirth continues. |
| A more directed, story-focused experience | Remake | Its design is more closely centered on the story than Rebirth’s broader activity mix. |
| Exploration and more choice about what to do | Rebirth | Its wider regions, side quests, optional battles, and minigames offer more freedom. |
| To jump in despite knowing the series or accepting a story gap | Rebirth | Square Enix describes it as standalone; an official Remake recap is available if you want a refresher. |
For most newcomers, the best order is Remake → Rebirth. Choose Rebirth first only if you are willing to start with the later chapter or already have enough familiarity with the story to follow its context.
Rank #2
- Immerse yourself in the city of Midgar like never before, with improved textures, lighting, and background environments
- Players can switch between two game modes: o "Graphics Mode" prioritises 4K high-resolution graphics o "Performance Mode" prioritises smooth action at 60 frames per second
- Capture and share your memorable moments from the game with a fully customisable “Photo Mode”
- Players can enjoy immersive battles by using the DualSense PlayStation 5 controller with its haptic feedback integration
Platforms and editions to check before buying
Edition and format depend on the game and platform. Square Enix’s availability pages describe the following; regional listings and retail stock can change, so check the current store page for your location before purchasing.
| Game and edition | Publisher-documented format or contents | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE on PS5 | Physical and digital editions are listed. | Square Enix support |
| FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE on PC | Digital versions are listed for Steam and Epic Games Store. | Square Enix support |
| FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Standard Edition on PS5 | The physical edition contains the full game across two discs; digital options are also described. | Square Enix launch guide |
| FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Deluxe Edition on PS5 | The physical edition includes a steelbook, mini soundtrack CD, and physical artbook. | Square Enix launch guide |
| FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Collector’s Edition on PS5 | Includes a figure and other physical collectibles; consult the launch guide for its listed contents. | Square Enix launch guide |
| FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on PC | Square Enix describes digital Steam and Epic Games Store editions. | Square Enix product page |
Intergrade is the enhanced edition of Remake. Square Enix lists improved textures, lighting, backgrounds, graphics and performance modes, photo mode, and DualSense haptics among its enhancements. These enhancements apply to Intergrade; confirm the specific platform’s features before buying.
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Square Enix has also documented a digital PC Twin Pack containing Remake and Rebirth. That is a digital bundle, not a physical two-game package; check its current regional listing if you are considering it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can Rebirth be made easier to pick up?
Square Enix’s update notice describes optional Streamlined Progression settings, including more forgiving combat and item options, plus a New Game – Head Start feature. The notice says the settings can be toggled by option. These are useful to know about if you are concerned about difficulty or progression, but the available features can vary by game version and platform; consult the official update notice for its version-specific details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH PS5 controller skin (inside the case) featuring Cloud and Sephiroth. This PS5 controller skin provides full coverage without buttons or sensor interference.
- An Expansive World: As the party searches for Sephiroth, explore the beautiful, expansive regions of the world and open up new areas to discover through unique forms of transportation
- Deepen their relationships to unleash powerful team based combos
- An Evolved Battle System: Combine strategic thinking with thrilling action combat alongside your comrades, including newly added characters
- Beyond the Walls of Fate: In this standalone adventure for fans and newcomers, Cloud and his comrades venture across the planet, their fates unwritten, making each step outside the dystopian city of Midgar fresh and mysterious
Rank #4
- Immerse yourself in the city of Midgar like never before, with improved textures, lighting, and background environments
- Players can switch between two game modes: "Graphics Mode" prioritizes 4K high-resolution graphics; "Performance Mode" prioritizes smooth action at 60 frames per second
- Capture and share your memorable moments from the game with a fully customizable “Photo Mode”
- Players can enjoy immersive battles by using the DualSense PlayStation 5 controller with its haptic feedback integration
- Play the brand-new episode featuring Yuffie and experience new combat and gameplay additions
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
